Our Passport Application Experience at the DFA Courtesy Lane for Government Employees

UPDATE: Just learned from a reliable source that only parents, spouses and children of the government employee are entitled to use the Courtesy Lane. Siblings (brothers and sisters) are excluded and have to make an appointment just like what ordinary applicants do.

Last November, I was able to book plane tickets to an Asian city for the boyfriend fiancee and I. Our travel will be in October 2011, just in time for our seventh anniversary as a couple. Yes, our relationship is that old. Haha. But I digress.

For over a week, I got overly excited about our out-of-the-country trip next year and thought I should prepare all our travel requirements in advance. One of them was the passport. I realized I haven’t applied for one yet and panicked a bit. I immediately checked out the DFA website and booked for an appointment for the two of us. The date I chose was December 22 at 9:00 a.m. I arranged the necessary documents required for our passport application and waited for our schedule to arrive.

The new Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) building is located on Macapagal Boulevard corner Bradco Avenue. It is the glass building right beside S&R. It is quite easy to locate especially for people who are familiar with the roads leading to the Mall of Asia (MOA).

Unlike me who had to go through the basic steps in passport application, Edwin only had to bring his old passport to get a new one. Despite all my preparations, I forgot to photocopy my supporting documents. We were running late for our appointment so I just prayed to God there was a photocopier machine inside the DFA compound.

It was a good thing Edwin remembered about the “courtesy lane” for government employees. (It’s a special section provided by the DFA to service the consular needs of government employees, their immediate families and senior citizens.) This meant we didn’t have to join the throng of people waiting outside to get accommodated. We just went straight to the second floor of the building (as advised by manong guard) where the courtesy lane was.

scene inside the courtesy lane for government employees during our visit

After having our documents checked and getting a number, we just waited for our turn at the consular section. There were only a handful of people that time and before we knew it, we were already dealing with the lady at the courier service booth to have our passports delivered right smack to our house (only for an additional P120). What a breeze, I tell you! I didn’t know being a government employee had perks like this.

The three steps in passport application at the courtesy lane for government employees:

is it true that we can really get the passport less than an hour? I’m also a gov’t employee and I’m a new applicant for a passport. I just need it as soon as possible for a flight next week….. i want an assurance please….

Of course, not. One hour refers to the application time alone, from the moment you enter the Courtesy Lane to the time you finish your application. The passport processing takes at least 14 working days. 🙂

is your brother married? as far as i know, immediate family members can be taken in even without the government employee. if he’s married, the immediate family will be your parents and his children. if he’s single, then his immediate family will be you and your other siblings and your parents.

It was supposed to be 14 working days but we got ours after 16. It was delayed by two days. Our passports were delivered to our house courtesy of LBC. There’s an LBC booth at the courtesy lane for government employees that offers this kind of service.

This reply might be too late na, pero in case others ask the same question: just bring your NSO-released marriage certificate (the one in security papers) or have your authenticated (by the municipal officer) marriage certificate be authenticated by the NSO (so twice authenticated).

I’ll appreciate your immediate reply. I am going to China (with ticket and hotel) this second week of July 2011 and its my first time to apply my passport. I am nervous that I will be spending too much time applying for my passport and visa since im a newbie. I’ve been trying to call the DFA but their lines are always busy the whole day. What shall I do? I am a consultant at the House of Representatives (Congress), is that considered as government employee so I may be able to use the courtesy lane? Thanks

If you have proof that you’re working there, Congress ID perhaps, then I think you’re entitled to use the courtesy lane. I suggest you secure your passport as soon as possible to save yourself from the hassles. 🙂

Hi! I am a single mother and I will get my 6-month old baby a passport. I already got an appointment on June 28 but she needs to have her passport ASAP. Can we use the courtesy lane because I am planning to go to manila next week. We’re from the province. Thanks.

I think so. Yes, bring a copy of the marriage contract as supporting document. Please update us as to what will happen with your appointment so we could make this blog, particularly the comment section, more informative to more people. 🙂

As far as I know, immediate family members ng government employee ang inaaccommodate sa Coutesy Lane. If single ka pa, your brother is part of your immediate family. Pero if married ka na, your husband/wife and your children compose your immediate family, hindi na kasali ang parents and siblings mo.

hi! just want to ask about the courtesy lane, im a goverment employee and my husband needs to renew his passport because he is a seafarer, the problem is weve just got married last year and my government id’s were all in my single name, it is possible that we can avail the courtesy lane using our marriage contract as a proof that he’s my spouse? thank u very much! Godbless!

hi im jr, i just wanted 2 ask if how is the process or what are the requirements for renewing passport bcoz my passport has expired last year and now im applying for a new work in Taiwan and i have to renew my passport, also how long will it take? thanks po.

Hi! In the above post, it is mentioned that she was with her fiance. I just want to ask if a government employee’s fiance is also entitled to use the courtesy lane? It was not made clear that they are both government employees. Thanks!

Yes, I think so. But if you plan to use the Courtesy Lane because you have government employee parents and you want to apply as a married person, it seems you don’t have a choice but to tell them about your change of status. 🙂

I applied for the renewal of my passport thru courtesy lane (i’m a gov’t employee) on Dec. 27. I paid P1,200.00 and was told that Jan 06, 2012 will be the release of my passport. I paid P120 at LBC for the delivery. LBC said my passport will be delivered on Jan 07. It arrived only today – Jan 25.

I am a government employee. I will be applying for my passport renewal. My married daughter, her husband and her minor daughter will also renew their passports. Can they be accomodated at the courtesy lane?

Hi, good morning id like to know if the courtesy lane for government employee is still available? I am going to renew my passport maybe next month and id like to be sure since i will be travelling all the way from Batangas. By the way is there any particular or definite time for the govt. coutesy lane (time will open). Thank you in advance